Chris Wood Continues To Score: The Best And Worst Rated Performers For Leeds United Vs Sheffield Wednesday

Leeds United secured their 19th Championship win of the season on Saturday at Elland Road, after narrowly downing Sheffield Wednesday in an encounter that saw only 2 shots on target registered.

New Zealand striker Chris Wood scored the only goal of the game – his 20th in the league midway through the first half, pouncing on a Gaetano Berardi’s cross to find the back of the net from close range as Wednesday’s defenders attempted to play the offside trap.

Both sides didn’t come any close to getting the goals until play resumed. After Doukara pulled down Sam Hutchinson in the box 8 minutes into the restart, Wednesday had their best and what also turned out to be the only chance to draw level from the spot. But the January arrival Jordan Rhodes could only hit a tame shot which Green pushed onto the goal post.

Nothing spectacular happened at either end for the remainder of the game, with only a plethora of yellow cards being one of the few takeaways from the game.

Following the win – Leeds’ 8th victory in 9 home games, they move to 4th on the log to further establish a strong standing in the playoff zone after dropping points in recent weeks.

Let’s take a look at how Garry Monk’s men are rated in the derby match against their fellow promotion candidates.

Leeds United Player Ratings

Robert Green

Massive point-earning penalty save from the veteran shot-stopper, who did extremely well the only time he was called into action.

Rating: 9/10

Gaetano Berardi

Leeds might have just found a perfect replacement for contract rebel Charlie Taylor in this Swiss fullback following his performances since the aforementioned got injured.

His fine cross in found Wood who wasted no time poking it in.

Rating: 8/10

Kyle Bartley

The on-loan Swansea centre-half escaped a booking in a solid performance at the back that gave the visitors no single chance from open play.

Rating: 8/10

Luke Ayling

Weighed in a great performance in the opening 45 minutes, and despite a sloppy show in the 2nd half, he wasn’t a bad player.

Rating: 7/10

Pontus Jansson

Got his 12th yellow card of the season but was solid in marking Jordan Rhodes while he made some needful blocks and clearances.

Rating: 7/10

Pablo Hernández

Couldn’t do as much as it would have been expected of him in what was a quiet match by all standards for a player of his calibre.

Rating: 5/10

Liam Bridcutt

Was in total control in the first half in an impressive defensive showing but faded in the second while losing possession.

Rating: 6/10

Eunan O’Kane

A decent outing from the defensive midfielder who helped keep it tight in front of his defence.

Rating: 6/10

Hadi Sacko

How he keeps getting into the starting XI regularly baffles as he has hardly had a good game to remember this term.

His finishing was poor once again and his decision making left little to be content with.

Rating: 4/10

Chris Wood

His excellent positioning saw him grab an easy goal and he held the ball well to allow his teammates get into good positions.

Rating: 8/10

Souleymane Doukara

Conceded a penalty that could have cost the team their points and his performance wasn’t up to the standard.

Rating: 5/10

SUBSTITUTES

Roofe

Came on for Sacko in the 71st minute but wasn’t able to influence the proceedings.